Research on depression and its treatment. Covers stress-response biology, ketamine and dopamine-targeting therapies, treatment-resistant cases, and brain mechanisms.
A new study suggests that open family discussion about stressful thoughts and feelings can improve emotional well-being in kidney transplant patients. Patients who felt their families were supportive reported fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety.
The ACP-ASIM End-of-Life Care Consensus Panel provides guidance on identifying and managing depression in dying patients, which can improve their quality of life. The panel's recommendations are based on state-of-the-art psychosocial interventions and/or drug treatments.
A nationwide clinical trial showed that Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) improved the condition of 40% of patients with severe treatment-resistant depression, enabling them to return to work and normal activities. The treatment has been compared to electroconvulsive therapy and may have potential as an alternative for some patients.
A new study finds that communication skills training can help doctors recognize patients with depression, a condition often missed at the primary care level. The training involves asking about psychosocial issues, using open-ended questions, and allowing more time for patients to talk.
A new study led by a University of Pittsburgh researcher found that twice as many patients experienced depression relapse on placebo compared to those treated with mirtazapine. Mirtazapine also relieved depressive symptoms more quickly than some commonly prescribed SSRIs, according to the study.
A study found that people with Alzheimer's disease were 50% more likely to have depression symptoms than those without the disease. Depression symptoms such as lack of interest and loss of energy were three times more common in those who later developed Alzheimer's.
A study of over 5,000 individuals found that anxiety and depression may cause up to one-quarter of all chest pain cases in young adults. The research suggests that individuals with psychiatric disorders or significant symptoms are more likely to experience chest pain.
A study by University of Washington researchers found that individuals with aggressive and low dependency personalities are at higher risk for recurrent major depression. The findings suggest that patients who enjoy activities and have moderate social support are less likely to relapse.
Scientists discovered that Prozac increases new neurons in rats' brains by 69% compared to controls. This finding may explain why people recover from depression with SSRIs. The study also suggests serotonin's role in treating other neurological diseases like Alzheimer's.
A recent study by Reg A. Williams highlights the significant economic impact of depression in the workplace, citing an estimated total cost of up to $44 billion. The study also identifies key risk factors for depression, including stress, negative changes in personal life, and difficulties in interpersonal relationships.
Depression affects not only individuals but also their intimate relationships. This guide provides valuable coping strategies to maintain connections during depression. It answers questions from patients and partners, offering expertise from seven authorities on managing depression-related intimacy problems.
Recent studies have found that high cortisol levels might be a cause of depression, potentially leading to new antidepressant drug strategies. Cortisol-lowering drugs have shown promise in reducing depressive symptoms, especially in patients with high cortisol levels.
Researchers at Harborview Medical Center are exploring a new approach to treat depression by introducing extra copies of the gene for 5-HT1b receptors into serotonin neurons. Preliminary results suggest that this technique may allow for faster and more effective treatment of depression.
Children of depressed mothers performed poorly on measures of school readiness, verbal comprehension, and expressive language skills. However, maternal sensitivity played a crucial role in the well-being of children, even when mothers were depressed.
Research published in Molecular Psychiatry found St. John's Wort to have a better antidepressant effect than placebo and comparable effects to standard antidepressants. The herb's favorable side effect profile may contribute to its advantages over other medications.
A new study by Cornell University found that retired men who continue to work experience higher morale and lower levels of depression compared to those who remain permanently retired. In contrast, women's well-being is linked more strongly to the quality of their marriages, regardless of whether they are working or retired.
A longitudinal study of over 600 adult participants found a significant seasonal effect on depression, hostility, anger, irritability, and anxiety, with winter months showing the highest levels. The researchers suggest diet, activity, and light exposure may contribute to these seasonal mood differences.
A University of Michigan study found that a low sense of belonging is a stronger predictor of major depression than other factors. The research analyzed data from 31 clients with depression and 379 community college students, concluding that feeling connected to others is crucial in overcoming depression.
A study found that patients with chronic nonmalignant back pain who received higher levels of economic and social rewards experienced increased disability, depression, and anxiety. Those with fewer rewards reported lower levels of these conditions.
A twin study found that genetic factors contribute more to women's depression, even in mild cases. The research suggests that genes, not family environment, are the primary cause of depression in women.
A study by Ohio State University found that 57% of homeless children aged 8-12 experience symptoms of depression, with boys being particularly at risk. The researchers also found that these children face extreme poverty, which can have detrimental effects on their cognitive and emotional health.
A study found that breast cancer patients experiencing estrogen deficiency during treatment are at a higher risk of developing depression. Eight women (38 percent) developed major depression, most in the first six months of treatment.
A new study by researchers from the University of Washington reveals that depression significantly impairs heart disease patients' ability to work and perform daily activities. Patients with both major and minor depression were found to function less well than nondepressed patients, reporting more heart disease symptoms.
Researchers found that women with a history of depression had smaller hippocampal volumes than those who never had been depressed. This is significant because the hippocampus plays a crucial role in learning and memory. Treatment not only prevents suffering but may also limit long-term damage to the brain.
A study of 121 healthy young women found that those with low cholesterol levels were more likely to score high on measures of depression and anxiety. Researchers suggest that brain cells with low cholesterol have fewer serotonin receptors, which can lead to mood disturbances.
A study by Dr. Ulrich Schweiger and colleagues found that severely depressed men have lower testosterone concentrations during the day and night, as well as higher cortisol levels. This disturbance of gonadal function may impair sexual function and increase the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis.
A Penn State-led study found lower concentrations of a stress hormone in pregnant teens are linked to greater numbers of depression and conduct disorder symptoms. The hormone, corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), is associated with emotions and behavior during pregnancy.
A study found that patients taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) had a reduction in sticky platelets, which can contribute to heart problems. The researchers suggest that improved mood is the key factor behind this effect.
A combination of nefazodone and psychotherapy is more effective than either medication or therapy alone in treating chronic depression, with an 85% response rate. The study also found significant improvement in insomnia and early symptom reduction.
Researchers at Emory University found that 25 patients with depression failed to respond to conventional treatment showed significant improvement after receiving electromagnetic stimulation. The study suggests that rTMS may be a viable option for patients with treatment-resistant depression.
UT Southwestern Medical Center is conducting a three-month study to test the efficacy of St. John's Wort in treating major depression. Participants will be given either St. John's Wort, sertraline, or a placebo and monitored by physicians to understand its effectiveness.
A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study found that over 500,000 children are prescribed antidepressants each year, despite a lack of research supporting their use in youngsters. The survey also revealed that 72% of physicians have prescribed SSRIs for patients under 18, but only 8% reported adequate training.
Research shows that boys tend to overestimate their school performance, but girls often underestimate it, with girls' underestimation linked to depression and anxiety. The study found a strong correlation between children's self-estimations and emotional problems, emphasizing the importance of addressing these issues.
A study found that adults with major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia were more likely to experience early parental loss than healthy individuals. Early loss before age 9 had a stronger impact on psychopathology in adulthood.
Research finds depression after a heart attack is a key risk factor for cardiac causes in both women and men, with similar impact on survival. Despite the higher prevalence of depression among women, they did not die at significantly higher rates than depressed men.
A review of 57 studies found depression to be linked to increased risk of death from heart disease and other factors, with suicide accounting for less than 1% of deaths among depressed patients
A national survey of family physicians, general internists, and obstetrician-gynecologists found that more than 90% are confident in diagnosing depression. Despite improvements, there is still room for growth in treating depression with high-quality care.
Researchers followed 144 HMO patients with mononucleosis for six months, finding transient psychological distress common but few met psychiatric criteria. The study suggests postviral depression is rare, often caused by new stressful life events rather than viral effects.
Researchers identified five common 'warning signals' of depression: less enjoyment from activities, self-disappointment, hopelessness, irritability, and difficulty sleeping. These symptoms were reported by at least 90% of the sample, and women reported self-disappointment with the greatest frequency.
Researchers found that heart patients with high levels of social support show fewer symptoms of depression, while those with low social support tend to have higher levels of depression. Interventions that decrease hostility and increase social support may also benefit heart disease patients.
A new study shows sertraline safely prevents depression recurrence in severe chronic sufferers. The drug extends remission time and protects against recurrence for patients with disabling psychological and social problems.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill link severe premenstrual syndrome to childhood trauma, finding 50-60% of women with PMDD have histories of abuse. The study also reveals physiological abnormalities in the stress response system of women with PMDD.
Research finds that people with inherited depression have fewer glia cells in the brain's subgenual prefrontal cortex, a region involved in stress responses. This difference is not seen in those without a family history of depression.
A new study suggests that depression is a fluid disease requiring tracking over time for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Researchers found that physicians more frequently detected depression when they knew their patients well, but struggled to distinguish it from minimal impairment.
Researchers found that hospitalized patients with depression are 1.9 times more likely to die than those without depression, with cardiovascular disease being the strongest predictor. The study highlights the importance of screening for depression in medical inpatients and improving their care to mitigate mortality risks.
A Johns Hopkins study has found that depression is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease in men, with those experiencing clinical depression twice as likely to develop the condition. Symptoms of CAD appeared on average 15 years after the first episode of depression.
A study published in Nature Genetics found that mice deficient in a stress hormone receptor exhibit reduced anxiety and improved stress response. The research suggests that new drugs suppressing the receptor's function may be effective in treating depression and anxiety.
A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that older patients with high levels of intrinsic religiosity recovered faster from depression than those with low levels. The study, led by Dr. Harold Koenig, discovered a significant correlation between higher religiosity and faster recovery times.
A study found that only 44% of depressed heart failure patients aged 60+ received treatment for depression. Social support was the only factor predicting faster time to remission.
A third of patients with major depression remain undetected by primary care physicians for up to a year, leading to grave consequences. Patients who went undiagnosed reported nine times more role limitation from emotional problems than community residents without depression.
Researchers found that daily smokers have twice the risk for major depression compared to occasional smokers. The study also revealed that depression may lead to increased smoking, particularly among young adults.
A study of 574 Americans and 250 Canadians found that only a small fraction received appropriate depression treatment, with more Canadians receiving mental health services due to comprehensive national coverage. Patient attitudes, such as perception of need for help and fear of cost, also played a significant role in the disparity.
Researchers found a unique link between brain lesions, depression, and heart disease in elderly patients. Vascular depression, caused by narrowing of small blood vessels, is responsible for 30-40% of all depression in people over 65.
Researchers found that patients with bereavement-related depression had decreased natural killer cell counts after disrupted sleep. The study provides direct evidence of the stress-immune relationship and highlights the importance of good sleep for maintaining health in the elderly.
Researchers have confirmed a link between a specific gene mutation and increased risk of depression, hospitalization, and suicidal attempts. The discovery aims to improve psychiatric diagnoses and treatments by enabling more precise identification of genetic predispositions.
Researchers at UPMC Health System found abnormally high metabolism in the amygdala, a small area of the brain, may cause many symptoms of depression. The study's findings may lead to more effective antidepressant and mood stabilizing treatments for nearly 19 million people affected by these disorders.
The NIH study aims to determine if St. John's Wort is effective in treating moderate depression, a condition affecting over 17 million Americans annually. The three-year trial will enroll 336 patients and compare the herb's efficacy with an SSRI antidepressant.
A study examining brain tissue from suicides and controls reveals higher serotonin receptor binding in certain areas, particularly those associated with violent deaths. The findings suggest a potential link between altered serotonin function and suicidal behavior.
A recent study found that treating depression in diabetic patients can lead to improved blood glucose control. Researchers discovered that as depression improved, glucose levels also decreased. The study showed that nearly 60% of depressed patients experienced significant improvement after treatment.
Patients with a history of depression often deny or attribute early warning signs, such as fatigue and stress, to external factors. Early intervention is crucial to prevent or minimize relapse, and recognizing these signs can provide control over emerging depressions.